MMA and BJJ.... Symbiotic?

Ari Bolden, of www.submissions101.com recently asked me to comment on my perspective of the relationship between MMA and BJJ. He asked me if MMA will make BJJ obsolete? He also wanted me to address differences between MMA grappling and BJJ. This post will try to address these issues as well as set an argument for the vitality of BJJ, if not the need for serious Mixed Martial Artists to train both gi and no-gi.

Will MMA make BJJ obsolete? My quick answer is no (so long as the rules allow for combat to continue on the ground for more than sixty seconds). Now, it must be noted that when I refer to BJJ, I am referring to the entire artform, not just its sport component. BJJ is a martial art that has three branches (sport-gi, sport- no-gi, and self-defense). Many traditionalists would argue that there is a fourth component, MMA. I believe that MMA is so much of a hybrid that it is not accurate to call it BJJ. However, it is fair to say that MMA is dependent upon BJJ.

While it is possible for a MMA fighter to do well while only being versed in a standing art, wrestling, judo, sambo, or ninjitsu, if the fighter has not spent significant time working on jiu jitsu, his/her reign will be short lived. MMA requires an athelete to be versed and competent in Bruce Lee's 4 ranges of fighting (Kicking, Punching, Clinch, and grappling).

Another reason MMA will not make BJJ obsolete is that MMA and its training will not be (and is not) appealing to the masses. While many men and women may enjoy watching a great cage fight, I have witnessed first hand 'tough guys' cower under a short 5 minute boxing spar session during an MMA training class. BJJ on the other hand, offers a philosophy of defense that encourages the minimization of strikes, the coordinated closing of the distance, the fast and effective takedown, and application of a submission technique that makes an adversary choose the conclusion of the confrontation. There is a philosophical de-valuation of exchanging blows, maximizing harm to your adversary, and 'going the distance'. Thus, the average Joe can train an effective theory without haveing to be hit repeatedly in a night.

I actually think that BJJ (at least in the US) has grown significantly because of MMA. Students wanting to learn MMA often hear of their favorite fighters' abilities in BJJ so they check out the schools. This increases the student base and athleticism of he student body and thus makes the training better too.

What are the differences between MMA grappling and BJJ? First, BJJ has eliminated strikes in 'competition' so 'sport-techniques' have arisen that can leave a fighter vulnerable to strikes. Take for example many of the half-guard techniques. While there are viable sweeps and reversals from half-guard, many fine jiu-jitsu fighters have found themselves on the receiving end of a wrestler's elbow because of over confidence in this inferior fighting position. Conversely, MMA grappling has developed such that striking from within the guard is now a viable option. In sport BJJ, passing the guard is the method of advancing and proving dominance when one finds himself in the guard. Effective MMA grappling requires awareness of the core BJJ positions, transitions and submission.

TO GI OR TO NO-GI... THE VERY CONTROVERSIAL DEBATE:

Even among jiu jitsu practitioners, there is a debate about the quantity of gi training that should be undertaken, especially for those who focus on entering MMA. For clear and convincing arguments against gi training, look no farther than Eddie Bravo's texts and forum posts by one of his top instructors Brandon Quick. Since they make their points so well, I will not summarize but rather offer my counter points.

First, running backs, sprinters, and swimmers add elements of clothing (e.g. parachutes for the running backs and sprinters) to increase their 'drag' and add friction. This develops their speed and ability to perform against external pressures. The gi offers the same advantages to a no-gi grappler as well as an MMA fighter. If your training partner has hundreds of handles to control you with, your escapes will have to be that much more technical, your movements that much more precise, and your strategies that much better planned in order to pull them off. When the gi is shed, your mind, body, and technique will feel the relief of a sprinter without a parachute, or an olympic swimmer shaved to the skin.

Next, I have yet to see too many abu dhabi champions who has not spent significant time in the gi. Even Eddie Bravo became a black belt in gi jiu jitsu. Can MMA grappling be mastered without training in the gi... YES, but my GUESS is that it will take significantly longer and be less efficient than if the person train a balanced grappling regimen of gi and no-gi.

So, for the potential or current MMA fighters who are reading this, MMA grappling has developed away from the principles of BJJ, but require a knowledge of fundamental positions, transitions and submissions of BJJ. I also argue that training in the gi (in moderation) can benefit the MMA fighter by developing more refined movement and attacks.

Why BJJ (A comparison to other grappling arts)

Why BJJ? This is a common question the answer to which depends on the desires of the person asking it. For the purpose of this post the question is being asked by someone interested in devoting his/her time to an effective martial art that has both sport and self-defense (combat) application. It will also be assumed that the person asking the question has boiled their interest down to 'grappling-arts' rather than the plethora of all arts or striking arts.

There are countless styles of grappling. Boiled down to their essence though the grappling arts can be divided into the following divisions: wrestling, sambo, judo, jiu jitsu. This article will postulate an argument for jiu jitsu. All of these arts have value, are fun, and can be supplemented by the others, but the question was 'why jiu jitsu'?

What does Jiu Jitsu offer the others don't? Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers the fewest restrictions among the group of grappling arts. Very few moves are concidered 'illegal' and are prohibited. Therefore, if you want the broadest arsenal of grappling techniques (from takedowns to submissions) then BJJ is art. Wrestling has subsets that offer fantastic takedowns and takedown defenses (Greco-Roman, Freestyle, Folk-Style) but they prohibit 'potentially dangerous' positions (i.e. submissions). Judo offers comprehensive takedowns, a number of submissions, but its rules make illegal certain techniques and discourage extended ground fighting. Sambo, like Judo, has great takedowns and submissions, but ground-play has been limited with an intermediary willing to step in and re-start the participants.

Jiu Jitsu allows all the takedowns of wrestling, Judo, Sambo and allows all of their submissions. Jiu Jitsu will allow the participants to continue the contest until a winner is determined by the contestants (except in a timed event). So, from a standpoint of how many weapons do you want?... Jiu Jitsu gives you the most and the platform from which to apply the weapons.

Each of the grappling arts has been used throughout history as a combat system. Reading Jigoro Kano's Kodokan Judo, one can quickly see that his intent was to keep Judo a functional combat system, but when reading Neil Ohlenkamp's Judo Unleashed it becomes apparant that the sportification of Judo caused it to lose much of its practical combat efficiency because instruction became sport focused. Likewise, wrestling in its various permutations became so burdened with rules that while it created monsters as men, save for pins and ground and pound, wrestling had little to offer as an effective combat system.

Another benefit of BJJ over the other arts is that it has traditionally not been strictly tied to formalities. By this I mean in wrestling, judo, and sambo the uniforms are formalized. In BJJ a uniform is often worn, but taking the uniform off and training no-gi is common and competition has been created to encourage development of each of the techniques against opponents wearing less than sturdy kimonos. This is not to say that Judoka, and Sambo guys cannot compete well no-gi, nor is it to say that a great wrestler cannot put a gi on and tear through BJJ tournament, it is just that a Jiu Jitsu practitioner will most likely have spent considerable time in both a uniform and without one.

All of these differences sets BJJ apart in my opinion as a martial art. What if my adversary is shirtless? What if I am wearing a bulky winter coat? What if we end up on the ground and no one is there to stop the action? BJJ has the training and the answer to all of these grappling questions. Judo struggles with the first question, wrestling struggles with the second question and all three of the other grappling arts struggles with the last question.

I began wrestling when I was in the second grade. I continued throughout my high school career. When I transitioned to BJJ I quickly learned (though it took longer to break) that the explosive, frantic movements that allowed me to be successful as a wrestler caused me to gas out, or placed me in significant trouble when I went against weaker less athletic jiu jitsu guys.

Early on, I had a negative opinion of Judo because even as a blue belt in BJJ I was able to tap Judo black belts with relative ease (after they tossed me of course). As time has passed, my affinity for Judo has increased and when a good Judo guy who has supplemented his Judo to (let's say) purple belt jiu jitsu level, he/she is a force to be dealt with. So, it should come as no surprise that in the recent past I have sought judo instruction to keep my grappling game strong.

A last point that I will emphasize is the culture surrounding jiu jitsu. It has become axiomatic that BJJ is a lifestyle. From the obligatory hang loose fingerwave in pictures, to referring to everyone (including one's instructor) as "bro" BJJ is a very relaxed environment. As such, in large part, bowing is out, as is devout reverence of the instructor.

So, to summarize, a person looking for the most effective grappling art, with the fewest rules and restrictions that has the most combat effectiveness should choose BJJ. However, that is not to say they should forgo training wrestling, Judo, or Sambo!

Happy Grappling!

Tim

A Perspective on BJJ Belts

I have thought alot about the belts and what they mean when it comes to BJJ. There are many different metaphors and analogies that can be utilized to help one understand that progressing through the ranks is difficult and takes significant time, but to keep perspective on why, I like to use the analogy of the modern American educational process. I thought through this in 2004, but never put it in writing.

The modern American educational system allows for someone to graduate high school with a rudimentary knowledge base. No certain skill need be mastered, nor is there a requirement of ability to teach or even adequately explain "why" things are the way they are.

Next, comes undergraduate college and bachelor's degrees. Here, significant time is spent learning theories explaining 'why' and developing a more detailed knowledge base. Through the use of essay exams and comprehensive exams, by the end of undergraduate studies, analytical thinking has been further nurtured and a moderate degree of expertise in the fundamentals and working ability to apply knowledge to practice is expected.

From there, a few pass through to a Master's program. Here, intense time is spent on theory, variations, honing the ability to teach/explain/understand nuance. A Master's degree is specific to a field and the student will be highly knowledgeable in his/her course of study.

After the Master's, a few move on to the Doctoral program. At this point the students are working on a complete mastery as well as developing their own contribution to the field. There are varying values and practical functions with Doctoral degrees, but universally they are held as the respected by their peer group, capable of explaining and understanding the nuance details of their field as well as a comprehensive knowledge of how the field fits into the larger world view.

BJJ belts can be similar to the above. A blue belt can be equated with a high school diploma, a purple belt might equal an undergraduate degree, a brown belt a master's degree and a black belt a doctorate degree.

A blue belt is expected to have an ability to know the basics. Basic positions, submissions, transitions and principles should be known. Much as a highschool graduate is expected to be able to differentiate between algebra, chemistry, literature, so too should a blue belt be able to differentiate between mount, knee on belly, and guard. Just as a highschool graduate is expected to have a knowledge of both world and national history, a blue belt should at a minimum know the origins of BJJ (i.e. the JJJ->Judo->Brazil path). While I hold my students to a much higher standard than this, over the past 10 years, the aforementioned adequately describes the majority of students I have seen move from white belt to blue belt.

Just as a highschool education is near compulsory, a blue belt is growing more common and under quality instruction nearly compulsory for anyone willing to dedicate 18 to 24 months to consistent and dedicated training. A college education though is far from compulsory. The percentage of people who have graduated from highschool who go on to graduate from college is low. These facts bare true for the transition from blue belt to purple belt too.

A purple belt in BJJ is considered advanced and in some regions even elite. Not only will a purple belt have a working knowledge of basic positions, transitions, and submissions, the purple belt is able to apply the fundamentals in flowing fashion because of his/her more developed understanding of the principles behind the techniques. I have yet to meet a purple belt who could not thoroughly explain 'why' a certain sweep works or 'how' to make an armlock tighter. A purple belt is beginning to really analyze the fine details and hone their areas of interest within the broader picture of BJJ.

Professor Caique told me on the day of my purple belt promotion that I knew enough technique to be a black belt, but improving on strategy, tightness, and timing would be necessary for advancement to the next levels. So, not much should 'surprise' a purple belt as far as 'new techniques' or principles are concerned, even though the purple belt may not be able to apply every technique in the appropriate situation.

To me, a purple belt IS a STUDENT! A purple belt is exploring, reading, watching videos, asking complex questions, and working on understanding, not just blindly following. The purple belt is invested, not only in progressing through belts, but most importantly in getting better. I have often seen white belts who only want to achieve a colored piece of cloth around their waist. They get the blue and within days they are asking about a purple belt. Somewhere around the middle point of blue belt, that inquiry ceases. To become a purple belt, years pass, whining loses value, with personal development and improvement accompanied by flowing performance being the replacement of belt color focus.

A purple belt who wants to continue will undergo a process of refinement. I have found observed that purple belts (while being able to execute fundamentals) will explore non-traditional positions and lower percentage of success attacks in order to find their validity and to increase their bag of tricks. Through this exploration they pass into the next level, brown belt.

The brown belt is committed, invested, and looking toward complete mastery. They have seen the periphery of the sport and are able to discuss/explain/ and demonstrate such, but the eye is most focused on eliminating what works least in their game and improving what works best. Much like a passing from a master's program to a doctoral program, the brown belt is reducing to minutia the 'truths' surrounding their game. They are pushing the boundaries of these truths to test them and through experimentation and elimination they are truly identifying their game, in effect, their jiu jitsu.

The black belt is the culmination of all the foregoing. Time has been spent, details learned, relearned, explained, and questions asked and answered. As with the doctorate degree, perfection of knowledge is on going, but a black belt will be able to teach, teach well, perform, perform well, apply, apply well, and will be recognized and supported by a peer group of equally accomplished individuals.

The value of a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not $15.00. It is the network of people who come together behind a promoting instructor to say that an individual has attained a level of knowledge and ability to warrant distinction. The beauty of a BJJ black belt is that no one has yet to walk in, demand, and earn one. There is a distillation process (much like academia) that is undertaken.

So, if you have undertaken the journey of becoming a Jiu Jitsu practitioner, know that it is more than a check the box or fill in the bubble exam. It is most likely it will be more than learning an essay exam formula. Being a BJJ black belt will involve formulating a dissertation (an individualized explanation of the area of study sufficiently demonstrating mastery).

Get to studying and happy grappling!

Tim

P.s. for great viewpoints on this same topic, make sure to check out www.aliveness101.comand/or google Roy Harris' belt requirements. These have been great insights to me.